Game attractant system

ABSTRACT

A system for generating sounds associated with movements of animals, the system including an enclosure having a fill material therein, with a movable member located within the enclosure and operable for contact with the fill material to generate sounds associated with movement of animals.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/534,704 filed 25 Sep. 2006, and entitled GAME ATTRACTANT which is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/277,444 filed 24 Mar. 2006, and entitled GAME ATTRACTANT, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/419,445 filed 21 Apr. 2003, and entitled GAME ATTRACTANT (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,029,362 issued on 18 Apr. 2006).

FIELD

This invention relates to the field of hunting aids. More particularly, this invention relates to a system and method for generating natural background noises for enhancing the effectiveness of game calls in attracting game.

BACKGROUND

Calls simulating an animal noise are often used for attracting game to a hunter. For example, hunters of turkeys often use a call that mimics the vocal sounds of a female turkey in an attempt to attract a male turkey.

It has been observed that the effectiveness of such vocal calls may be improved if sounds associated with movement of a turkey are provided in conjunction with the vocal sounds, such as by moving a fallen tree branch or the hunter's hand, arm or foot against the ground to mimic the sound of a turkey rustling through leaves as during feeding.

As will be appreciated, it is often inconvenient and difficult for a hunter to remain concealed and still while manipulating a tree branch or making hand, arm, or foot movements. Also, the movement will be immediately proximate the hunter, which is undesirable for concealment purposes.

SUMMARY

With regard to the foregoing, the present disclosures relates to a system for generating sounds associated with movements of animals.

In a preferred embodiment, the system includes an enclosure; fill material within the enclosure, and a device for generating sounds located within the enclosure.

The device for generating sounds includes a movable member operatively associated with a motion generation system and configured to be set in a desired motion by the motion generation system, a hub associated with the movable member, and at least one extension member extending from the hub for contact with the fill material to generate sounds associated with movement of animals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages of the invention are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a game attractant device according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3-5 show a preferred hub having a variety of preferred extensions.

FIG. 6 shows an alternate hub to which extensions may be selectively connected.

FIG. 7 shows a game attractant device according to an alternate preferred embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a game attractant system according to another alternate preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With initial reference to FIG. 1, the invention relates to a game attractant device 10 for generating sounds associated with movements of animals. The device 10 is particularly suitable for remotely generating sounds to mimic the sound of a turkey rustling through grass, leaves or other ground debris as during feeding.

The device 10 includes a motion generation system 12, a movable member 14, a hub 16, and extension members 18.

The motion generation system 12 is preferably provided by a motor 20, preferably an electric motor powered by a power source, such as a AA size battery 22 connected to the motor 20 by wiring 24. Other power sources may also be used, such as a solar power cell. The motor 20 may be of single speed or may include electronic controllers or the like for adjusting and/or varying its rotational speed as may be desired. For use in generating sounds mimicking a turkey or turkeys feeding, the motor 20 preferably has a rotational speed of from about 5 to about 50 rpms. The motor 20 includes a shaft 26 that rotates under the power of the motor 20. However, it will be understood that the motor 20 may be configured for imparting other motions, such as translational and reciprocal motion.

The motor 20 and the battery 22 are preferably located within a housing 28, such as a plastic housing having a removable cover for accessing the battery 22. The wiring 24 is preferably connected to an on/off switch associated with the motor 20 and partially extending through the housing 28 for access by a user. As will be appreciated, a remotely activatable switch, such as an infrared switch may be utilized instead of the mechanical switch 30. Also, a timing or other control device may also be incorporated to periodically control the operation of the motor 20. For example, the motor 20 may be periodically controlled to start or stop motion and/or change the speed thereof.

The movable member 14 may be provided by the shaft 26 of the motor 20, provided that the shaft 26 is of sufficient length. However, in a preferred embodiment, the shaft 26 is relatively short and resides within the housing 28 and the movable member 14 is provided by an elongate shaft 32 having an end 34 configured for releasably connecting to the shaft 26 of the motor 20. For example, the shaft 32 may have a quick release 36, such as a ball detent, for engaging a bore 38 of the shaft 26, or vice versa. The shafts 26 and 32 may connect in other ways, such as by threading and the like. The housing 28 includes a suitable aperture or port 40 for passage of the shaft 32. This is advantageous to enable portability so that the movable member 14 does not protrude for transport and the device may be compactly carried.

The hub 16 is preferably a wheel-shaped plastic member having a central bore 42 configured for mounting adjacent an end 44 of the shaft 32. The hub 16 is preferably configured for releasably connecting to the shaft 32. For example, the end 44 of the shaft 32 may have a quick release 46, such as a ball detent, for engaging the bore 42 of the hub 16, or vice versa. The hub 16 may also connect in other manners, such as by threading on the end of the shaft 32.

The hub 16 may be formed on the shaft 32 or be a simple structure for connecting the extension members 18 thereto, such as bores formed on the shaft 32 or adhesive placed on the shaft 32 or the hub 16 may be defined as by portions of the extension members 18 which may be wrapped around the shaft 32. Thus, it will be understood that the hub 16 is structure which enables connection, either directly or indirectly, of the extension members to the shaft. However, it is preferred that the hub 16 be a separate structure readily detachable from the shaft to facilitate portability and quick change of the extension members 18, as described more fully below.

The extension members 18 are elongate structures configured for contacting dirt, grass, leaves or other debris on the ground to generate a rustling sound that mimics the sound of a turkey rustling or scratching through a water puddle, dirt, grass, leaves or other ground debris as during feeding. In one preferred embodiment, the extension members 18 are substantially permanently attached to the hub 16. However, as described in connection with FIG. 6, the extension members 18 may be removably attachable to the hub 16 to enable a user to select among the number and type of the extension members 18 used.

FIG. 3 shows a preferred configuration of the extension member 18, having a pair of spring wires 50 extending from opposite locations thereon. The free ends of the wires 50 are preferably bent into a circular tip to provide a blunt end. Alternatively, the wires 50 may be formed of other resilient material that yields under light pressure but yields back to substantially original shape when the force is removed, such as a resilient plastic. This construction is desirable for rustling non-fixed objects, such as leaves, sand, gravel, dirt, and the like, without sweeping them from the site.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment of extension members 18′. The extension members 18′ may be provided as by feathers 52 or the like attached to the hub 16. The members 18′ are particularly suitable for making rustling noises in tall grasses.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of extension members 18″. The extension members 18″ may be provided as by a member 54, preferably a rigid stick or wire or the like, or a flexible line or cord attached to the hub 16. Multiple flexible lines 56, such as monofilament lines, are attached to the free end, with small beads or the like formed on the ends of the lines. The members 18″ are particularly suitable for making rustling noises in sand, dirt, and leaves.

FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of a hub 16′ that is substantially similar to the hub 16, except an outer rim 60 thereof is configured for removably attaching one or more of the extension members 18, 18′, or 18″. For example, the rim 60 may include a plurality of apertures 62 configured for receiving, preferably in a friction fit, an end of the extension members. The rim 60 may also be provided as by an elastomeric material or a foam material, such as Styrofoam, into which the ends of the extension members may be penetrated. If desired, the ends of the extension members may be shaped in a point.

FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment of a game attractant device 10′ that is substantially similar to the device 10, except that hub 66 thereof is oriented substantially parallel to the ground. To orient the extension members 18, 18′, and 18″ to contact water, the ground, or debris thereon, the extension members preferably include a bend B, preferably about 60 degrees.

FIG. 8 shows a sound generation system 80 having a sound generating device 82 that is substantially similar to the previously described devices 10 and 10′ and includes a motion generating system having a movable member, hub, and one or more extension members. Extension members 84 shown are elongate coiled springs having plastic caps on their free ends and the device 82 operates as described for the devices 10 and 10′ to move the members 84. The system 80 additionally includes an enclosure 90 and fill material 92 within the enclosure.

The enclosure 90 is preferably a substantially closeable bag, such as a cotton bag having a drawstring. It is preferred that the bag be made of a lightweight, relatively open-weave material, such as a nylon or cotton mesh, colored to have a substantially camouflage appearance when sitting on the ground during the hunting of turkeys. The open-weave material is desired to avoid substantial muffling or dampening of sound generated by the device 82. However, it will be understood that closed weave materials may be utilized if it is desired to muffle the sound. The enclosure 90 may also be configured to amplify the sound if desired, such as by leaving the top open so as to direct sound out through the top. The fill material 92 is preferably a loose material, such as such as grass, leaves, sand, gravel, dirt, twigs, and the like, and mixtures thereof.

The system 80 is highly portable and may be used, for example, by setting the system 80 down on the ground or suspending from the branch of a tree or bush, and operating the device 82 in the manner previously described for the devices 10 and 10′. As will be appreciated, during operation of the device 82 the extension members 84 move and contact the fill material 92 within the enclosure 90 to mimic the sound of a turkey rustling through grass, leaves, sand, gravel, dirt, twigs, or the like. The system 80 having the device 82 within the enclosure 90 is advantageous to enable a hunter to customize the sound generated, depending upon the selection of various variables of the system, such as, for example, the nature of the members 84, the rotational speed of the members 84, and the nature and amount of the fill material 92. The system 80 also facilitates portability and quick set-up in that it may simply be set down without requiring site preparation.

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled. 

1. A system for generating sounds associated with movements of animals, the system comprising: an enclosure; fill material within the enclosure, and a device for generating sounds located within the enclosure, the device for generating sounds comprising a movable member operatively associated with a motion generation system and configured to be set in a desired motion by the motion generation system, a hub associated with the movable member, and at least one extension member extending from the hub for contact with the fill material to generate sounds associated with movement of animals.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the movable member comprises a rotatable shaft.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the motion generation system comprises a motor having a rotatable output shaft.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the movable member is releasably connectable to the motion generation system.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the hub is releasably connectable to the movable member.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the extension members are releasably connectable to the hub.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises a bag.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the fill material is selected from the group consisting of grass, leaves, sand, gravel, dirt, and twigs.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is configured to muffle sounds generated by the system.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is configured to amplify sounds generated by the system. 